Why There Is a Shortage In Breeding Filmmakers?

June 19, 2017

Filmmaking is such a seemingly glamorous and grandiose venture and these days, film schools produce thousands of graduates annually but did anyone outside the film industry ever notice of how minimal it is able to produce actual successful filmmaker? Or maybe this has remained a hush-hush in the film industry. Whether this issue be admitted or not, it has become quite evident that the film industry is suffering from the lack of better produce from film schools. Now this is one issue that may be worth probing.

So, why can’t film schools produce good filmmakers – ones who are sure to come up with great ideas that sell big? Perhaps it is best that we take a closer look at how American Public Education is and how it has evolved. There has been this concept of providing for and upholding public education since the early 1800s and although this has given birth to equal opportunity to more people, this has also paved the way to education that is less qualitative. Let us not forget that when it comes to filmmaking, creativity, personal initiative and entrepreneurship should be tapped and nurtured from each individual. This is a filmmaker’s lifeline.

What film schools produce these days is what you may call a herd of good workers. These are non-creative people who hardly think out of the box. The credit to them is the fact that they hardly fail to “please the boss”, they are able to do what is required of them but hardly thinks of what pleases them. Now, isn’t this a classic example of a produce without a creative juice to squeeze out of? The film industry can’t have these.

Another error is perhaps on the fact that film schools give emphasis on the wrong things – things that are unnecessary in the actual filmmaking practice. Instead of nurturing the free spirit and enthusiasm within the student, film schools tend to change them into mindless and lifeless followers. They become quiet and plodding instead of vibrant and outspoken idea-makers. They get taught to obey and never argue about any concept that seems incongruent with their observation or idea. Of course this is good – for a factory worker but not a filmmaker.

Film schools wrongfully inject in the students the concept that working in the film industry means you get a glamorous and high-paying job in Hollywood and still get them home by 5 in the afternoon. The truth to the matter is: if you intend to succeed as a true filmmaker, there can be no “this time only” for work and you need to start small, work your way through time, coming up with original and creative ideas until that well-deserved break to success.